Considerate Contractor scheme

Our voluntary Considerate Contractor scheme asks members to commit to a code of good practice over and above the legal minimum requirements. This ensures that construction work doesn't make life unpleasant for people who live and work nearby.

For contractors, adhering to the code improves the reputation of their business, which is an asset when marketing their services.

The scheme has been in operation since 1998. It is part of our objective to promote a high quality and sustainable environment in the city. It's an independent scheme supported by both the Cambridge Forum for the Construction Industry and the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce. It's not affiliated with the national Considerate Constructors Scheme; it's therefore possible to register a project with both schemes.

Become a member

Inspections

Regular visits are made to all sites participating in the scheme - they are monitored for compliance with the code of good practice. We can provide advice on how to improve performance, and will investigate complaints from the public.

The project officer keeps records of their site visits and details of all of these are made available to the panel of judges who assess the sites for the annual awards.

We encourage you to advise us when projects and actions deserve praise, and also when they do not adhere to the code of good practice.

Enforcement of compliance

We don't have enforcement powers, but we work closely with the local highways authority and other statutory enforcement bodies. This helps us provide a co-ordinated response to complaints as far as possible.

Following a complaint about a site, we will normally discuss the matter with the site manager to try to resolve the problem. If they don't deal with the complaint in a satisfactory manner, we will refer it to the construction company's head office.

Complain about a registered construction project

To comment or complain about any site or project registered in the scheme, use our simple online form:

Registering a project

Considerate Contractor Awards 2017

Our Considerate Contractor scheme was introduced in 1998 and sets out to recognise efforts made by construction firms to minimise noise and disruption. Last year, the 25 participating contractors entered 66 projects into the scheme.

The judging panel for the 2017 awards were Councillor John Hipkin, Councillor Kevin Blencowe, Mr Steve Bowen former director of the Federation of Master Builders and representing the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, Mr Martin Rayner.

The award from builder’s merchants Ridgeons and in association with the Cambridge Forum for the Construction Industry was presented by Gordon Ridgeon to Neil Pixsley project director for Bouygues UK Ltd.

Bouygues on behalf of Cambridge Assessment were involved in the construction of their new headquarters building in Shaftesbury Road. Works commenced in October 2015 to construct the five storey concrete framed structure with a steel tower and took just over two years to complete. Extensive landscaping to both the front and rear of the new building also took place, and at the height of works up to 800 men were onsite.

Bouygues throughout the works were very keen to support a number of local charities and raised over £10K for Headway and the Arthur Rank hospice whilst onsite.

The company were also keen to support apprentice opportunities with links formed with Parkside Academy, Cambridge Regional College and Comberton Village College. Throughout the project a number of student visits were undertaken, and the annual Women in Construction event was also supported by the site team.

Close liaison also took place with a number of resident groups to ensure they were kept informed of progress onsite, and to ensure there was an immediate point of contact with the site team if needed.

A Certificate of Excellence in this category was awarded to SDC Builders Ltd. SDC were responsible for the construction of the new extension to the Judge Institute in Tennis Court Road. This was an extremely restricted site which was well managed throughout by the site team with close liaison taking place between the contractor and a number of university departments.

A further Certificate of Excellence was also awarded to Morgan Sindall who were recognised for their effort’s in constructing the new ARU Science Centre building in Broad Street.

It was decided in 2012 to introduce a further award to cater for any projects ongoing for a period of two years or more. This is called the Cambridge City Council “Works in Progress Award”.

Previously, projects had only been recognised when completed and it was hoped that by introducing this award, that contractors, would feel that their continuing efforts can be formally recognised prior to the completion of the works.

In 2017, it was decided the award be given to the University of Cambridge for their ongoing North West Cambridge development site. It was felt by the award judges that the award although presented to the University should be in recognition for the contractors, BAM, Farrans, Grahams, Skanska, Wates and Willmott Dixon all of whom were involved in the completion of the first phase of the development. To have recognised one contractor in particular proved to be very difficult.

It was also decided to reward the efforts of Galliford Try who received a Certificate of Excellence for their current project to develop 50 / 60 Station Road.

The Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce have, since 2001 supported a separate award for contractors who undertake small to medium size projects and the City Council are most grateful for their continued support.

Coulson Building Group were the 2017 award winners for works to construct a new extension comprising of multi-purpose rooms and new kitchen facilities at the Holy Trinity Church, Market Street. A refurbishment of the Church also took place which included the installation of new under floor heating, extensive M & E works and new acoustics.

A Certificate of Excellence in this category was awarded to Millcam Construction for their effort’s in complying with the scheme at a number of sites within the city. Their sites included Newnham Road where works took place on behalf of behalf of Clare College and at the University of Cambridge Old Schools site.

All of the awards were presented at a recent event hosted by the Cambridge Forum for the Construction Industry at the McGrath Centre, St Catharine’s College.